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Scientific Capacity Building for Sustainable Development in Developing Countries (CAPaBLE)
[last updated August 22, 2006 3:40 PM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeApril 2003 - Open Ended |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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| UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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| Other:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Global
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: United States of America |
National Focal Points
This partnership has not made any contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the countries involved
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
The Scientific Capacity Building and Enhancement for Sustainable Development in Developing Countries (CAPaBLE) Programme is a concrete initiative introduced by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan and Hyogo Prefecture Government, Japan to specifically realize parts 107 to 114 of the Plan of Implementation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), and was registered as a WSSD Type II Partnership/Initiative by the Japanese Government in Johannesburg, September 2002. The programme was endorsed by the APNâ??s Inter-Governmental Meeting in March 2003 and launched in April, 2003. The objectives of the Programme are targeted to enhance scientific capacity in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific Region to improve their decision-making in target areas related to climate change, water and food security, and global change that are directly linked to their sustainable development. Of particular relevance to the CAPaBLE Programme is Part 111 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation: Establish regular channels between policy-makers and the scientific community for requesting and receiving science and technology advice for the implementation of Agenda 21, and create and strengthen networks for science and education for sustainable development, at all levels, with the aim of sharing experiences and best practices, and building scientific capacities, particularly in developing countries.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsSpecific targets for the first phase (FY2003-FY2006) and beyond include:
* Planning and implementation of selected comprehensive research projects by leading developing country scientists. The proposed topics are: (i) integrated assessment of climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation opportunities in vulnerable countries/areas such as the small island developing states, mountainous states and regions, and highly populated coastal areas with low-altitude; and (ii) integrated model development and analysis of the potential of mitigation options and sustainable development opportunities. * Participation of developing country experts in inter-regional, regional, sub-regional and local capacity building activities. Mode of the capacity building activities may include: (I) regional capacity building workshops/seminars; (ii) partnership activities with other regional research networks; and (iii) country capacity building activities. * Provision of the above outcomes to policy makers and the public through workshops, seminars, printed publications and other measures, making best use of existing fora. |
Progress against targets1. Number of Project Proposals Received under the CAPaBLE Programme:
In the 3 years since the launch of the CAPaBLE Programme, 58 proposals have been received and 35 funded: - Comprehensive Research Proposals: 18 proposals received; 5 funded - Capacity Building Proposals: 40 received; 30 funded 2. Input to Policy Processes at the National, Regional and Global Levels - IPCC - 2 comprehensive research projects specifically targeted to input into Working Groups II and III of the IPCC 4AR - GHG Inventories; working closely with the GHG Inventory Office, Japan (NIES) - UNFCCC - Transfer of Technologies - 22nd Report of SBSTA The SBSTA welcomed the efforts of regional institutions and networks including, but not limited to, the Asiaâ??Pacific Network for Global Change Research and the Inter American Institute for Global Change Research. http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2005/sbsta/eng/04.pdf - GHG Inventories and National Communications - UNFCCC Workshop on the preparation of national communications from non-Annex I Parties, Manila, Philippines, 26 - 30 April 2004 http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/workshops/other_meetings/application/pdf/enb12232e.pdf - COP Side Events - COP11/MOP1 Side Event (Joint NIES/APN-CAPaBLE) - Kyoto Mechanisms on GHG Inventories - Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research - Joint Inter-regional Project for local farming and sustainability in the face of climate change - Annual Asia-Pacific Seminar on Climate Change September, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Held in conjunction with the UNFCCC Article 6 Workshop, the goal of the September 2005 Seminar was to facilitate and exchange of views, experiences and best practices on climate change-related efforts in the Asia-Pacific region. For the 15th Seminar, participants focused on three themes based on recommendations of the 14th Seminar: co-benefits of greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation, clean development mechanism (CDM), and adaptation to climate change. - The Chairpersonâ??s Summary quotes in sections 25 and 26 are as follows: 25. The Seminar stressed the linkage of UNFCCC Art. 6 activities and efforts on mainstreaming adaptation. To ensure the greater involvement of stakeholders, ways of communicating to the public regarding accurate information on local impacts may be carefully examined. At global level, UNFCCC clearing house on Art. 6, which is under development, can be a useful vehicle to exchange information on effective adaptation policies and measures. Regional cooperation in adaptation is considered crucial especially in sharing information, views and experience, as well as capacity building. In this regard, participants commended the activities under the Scientific Capacity Building/Enhancement for Sustainable Development in Developing Countries (CAPaBLE) of the Asia-Pacific Network on Global Change Research (APN). Having completed its first phase, the programme is making excellent progress against its targets. A phase one evaluation will likely be conducted in the next year. Initially, the CAPaBLE Programme, which was endorsed by APNâ??s IGM in March 2003, was a 5-year Programme. However, the success of the Programme has been so outstanding in just 2 years that the IGM, the governing body of the APN, recommended that CAPaBLE become an integral part of APNâ??s activities. This is now reflected in the APN Second Strategic Plan for 2005-2010. The success of CAPaBLE to date has also impressed the governments of Australia, New Zealand and the USA to the point of contributing financial donations earmarked for CAPaBLE activities. This is a major achievement for the APN in terms of securing financial resources from member countries. |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
Capacity building is one of the goals of the APN, stating in its Framework document that "the specific goals of the APN include improving the scientific and technical capabilities of nations in the region." Activities include: * Capacity enhancement of leading researchers in developing countries to produce comprehensive scientific information on climate change impacts, vulnerabilities, adaptation and mitigation opportunities . * Enhanced sharing of knowledge, experiences and scientific information on quality data collection and analysis, impacts, vulnerability, adaptation to and mitigation of climate change within the Asia-Pacific region and between regions in the world for the capacity building of developing country experts. * Improvement of informed decision-making in developing countries by disseminating the outcomes of the APN activities to policy makers, and by enhancing collaboration between scientists and policy makers.
Through the continued support of the Japanese Government, the APN has developed the following strategies to ensure that the CAPaBLE Programme continues to meet its objectives as outlined in the Type II partnership proposal registered by Japan at the WSSD in 2002. These include:
1. Creating a profile for CAPaBLE to ensure that it continues to be a strong pillar of APN activities that stands alone from the first pillar â?? the Annual Regional Call for Proposals (ARCP).
2. Continuing its capacity building and capacity enhancement efforts in science and education at all levels from the local and community levels, to the national, regional and global levels, particularly in developing countries.
3. Widening its capacity building and capacity enhancement activities in the broader context of global change, and not limiting its activities to climate change and water and food security.
4. Committing the necessary time and funds to attract investments into the CAPaBLE Programme. The PARTNERSHIP approach of the CAPaBLE Programme is being used as the major key for seeking and securing investment from other stakeholders. In so doing, the APN is endeavoring to show current investors that there is a good reason to continue investing in the CAPaBLE Programme.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
This program is a concrete regional initiative to realize the following part of the World Summit on Sustainable Development Plan of Implementation:
111. Establish regular channels between policy makers and the scientific community for requesting and receiving science and technology advice for the implementation of Agenda 21, and create and strengthen networks for science and education for sustainable development, at all levels, with the aim of sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices, and building scientific capacities, particularly in developing countries. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
111. Establish regular channels between policy makers and the scientific community for requesting and receiving science and technology advice for the implementation of Agenda 21, and create and strengthen networks for science and education for sustainable development, at all levels, with the aim of sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices, and building scientific capacities, particularly in developing countries. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Science for sustainable development; Promoting education, public awareness and training; National mechanisms and international cooperation for capacity-building in developing countries
Relevant Sections of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 Means of implementation
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Means of implementation
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipThis program is coordinated and implemented in accordance with the general APN mechanism set forth in the "Framework of the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research." This program is monitored by the monitoring mechanism of the APN, i.e. the IGM, SPG and the Steering Group. The programme also has its own committee: â??Capacity Development Committeeâ?? which meets twice a year to discuss specific topics related to the CAPaBLE programme.
* The Inter-Governmental Meeting (IGM), as the APN's general policy and decision-making body, considers and approves programs of activities to be undertaken or supported by the APN based on recommendations made by the Scientific Planning Group. * The Scientific Planning Group (SPG), as the scientific advisory body to the IGM, recommends a scientific program including proposals for priority of funding and allocation of current available funding for consideration by the IGM, and works with the Steering Committee and the Secretariat in arranging scientific program activities. * The Capacity Development Committee was developed and considers the additional characteristics of CAPaBLE that differ from current APN activities. * Links will be explored through joint workshops and other scientific activities with the IAI for north and south American region, and PASS for the African region. * The APN is cooperating very closely with the System for Analysis Research and Training in Global Change (START), the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), the International Human Dimensions Programme (IHDP), the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), the Earth System Science Partnership Programme and DIVERSITAS |
Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipPhase One: April 2003 to March 2006. Phase Two: From April 2007
This program is particularly dedicated to the scientific capacity building/enhancement in developing countries through implementing joint research activities among developing countries and linking their outcomes to policy makers. It will be implemented as an activity of the APN, subject to the approval of the IGM of the APN. |
Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$:
Source(s): Government
FY2006: US$505,000 FY2003: US$515,000, FY2004: US$525,000; FY2005: US$525,000 From: Ministry of the Environment of Japan, Hyogo Prefecture of Japan and Australian Greenhouse Office |
Non-financial resources availableType(s): Other
Source(s): Government - IGO
In kind contributions from partner Institutions and Member Countries |
Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: 0
Source(s) already approached:
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
Improving the scientific and technical capabilities of nations in the region has been one of the goals of the APN and capacity building projects have been included in the activities since the beginning. Therefore, why does a programme such as CAPaBLE have to be created? It has been created because we have to make a difference. In addition to the existing pillar of APN, the Call for Proposals, CAPaBLE has become the second pillar of APN activities and has played a very important role in the transition period from the first phase of APN (1999-2004) to its second phase (2005-2010).
In three years, through contributions both monetary and in-kind, from all of APNâ??s member countries and other policy and scientific bodies at the global level, CAPaBLE has funded 15 projects so far expanding the entire Asia-Pacific Region at all levels from the community level to national, regional. Successful interregional activities particularly related to climate risks and food security has also been achieved. It is this unique flexibility of the CAPaBLE Programme that has contributed to its success in such a short timescale.
About APN - The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research is a network of member governments whose mission is to enable investigation of change in the Earthâ??s life support systems as it occurs in the Asia-Pacific region to:
1. Identify, explain and predict changes in the context of both natural and anthropogenic forcing,
2. Assess potential regional and global vulnerability of natural and human systems, and
3. Contribute, from the science perspective, to the development of policy options for appropriate responses to global change that will also contribute to sustainable development.
In three years, through contributions both monetary and in-kind, from all of APNâ??s member countries and other policy and scientific bodies at the global level, CAPaBLE has funded 15 projects so far expanding the entire Asia-Pacific Region at all levels from the community level to national, regional. Successful interregional activities particularly related to climate risks and food security has also been achieved. It is this unique flexibility of the CAPaBLE Programme that has contributed to its success in such a short timescale.
About APN - The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research is a network of member governments whose mission is to enable investigation of change in the Earthâ??s life support systems as it occurs in the Asia-Pacific region to:
1. Identify, explain and predict changes in the context of both natural and anthropogenic forcing,
2. Assess potential regional and global vulnerability of natural and human systems, and
3. Contribute, from the science perspective, to the development of policy options for appropriate responses to global change that will also contribute to sustainable development.